Discover how to straighten hair naturally

It does not matter if it is to go to a party, to be perfect in the office or to hide curls: more and more women choose to straighten hair naturally.

For years, creams, chemical treatments, or irons have been abused. The problem with these techniques is that they damage the hair, especially if they are practiced regularly. Although it is true that these procedures are the most common and fastest, it never hurts to do a little research on more natural alternatives.

So it never hurts to do a little research on the subject. We tell you, then, how you can straighten hair naturally and without damaging it.

Straighten hair without side effects

It is fashionable to wear long, straight hair, but not all women are lucky to have been born with that type of hair. The permanent straightening can give short – term results , but note that only lasts a few months.

If this practice is abused, one of the most serious consequences could be the destruction of the strands, so it  would be very difficult to handle them later . Only by doing another straightening again could one try to show off “decent” hair again . It is a kind of vicious circle from which you cannot escape.

Another of the most used options to straighten hair is the iron . This element, which uses heat to seal the strands and achieve a smooth effect, lasts a few hours (at most, a few days), as soon as it gets wet, the hair will return to normal.

Many women iron their hair every morning before going to work, or on the weekends to go dancing. ¿ The result? Split ends , burned hair and excessive frizz.

Can you straighten hair naturally?

If you want to avoid artificial methods that straighten- but ruin- your hair, you have two options: leave your hair curly as it is (at best, define the waves more) or straighten it at home. If you are interested in this second alternative, you should know that there are several studies  about straightening hair that could help you.

According to the School of Engineering of Medellín, the Caesalpinia Spinosa plant (commonly known as Tara), could help as a smoothing element thanks to the presence of hydrolyzable tannins in its composition. 

These active ingredients form cross bonds between the hair fibers and are placed between the keratin fibers, forming bonds that restructure the hair fibers.

Other elements that strengthen and care for your hair

Although it is not proven that they are valid for straightening hair,  the following elements work as conditioners thanks to the vitamins and nutrients they have as food. Of course, first make sure you are not allergic to any of them, or you could suffer a reaction.

Coconut milk and lemon juice

The mixture would work as a conditioner capable of nourishing the scalp and leaving hair soft. To do this, form a cream with a cup of coconut milk (250 ml) and the juice of one lemon.

Shampoo your hair and apply the mixture to the conditioner. Leave to act for a few minutes and rinse well with warm water. Repeat a couple of times a week, and check the results.

Banana and milk

Bananas are a great source of nutrients, including vitamin B6 , which has excellent benefits for hair. Furthermore, due to its sugar content, it retains the natural moisture of the strands. For its part, although it has not been scientifically proven, it is believed that milk would provide softness for the scalp.

The amount of both ingredients will depend on the length and amount of hair. The important thing is that the banana is pureed and that the milk is added until it forms a paste. Then, apply to damp hair and leave it to work for an hour and a half (until it dries), rinse and comb well.

Honey, oils and milk

You can make this mask with elements that you have at home or that you can get without problems on the market.

Ingredients

• ½ cup of milk (125 ml)
• 1 cup of honey of bees (400 g)
• ½ cup of olive oil (110 g)
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil (20 ml)

Preparation

• In a saucepan, place the honey, olive oil, milk and coconut oil.
• Mix well with a hand mixer and put on low heat.
• Cook until thick . Remove from the fire and let cool.
• Apply to hair starting at the ends and going up to the roots.
• Put on a plastic cap and let it work for 3 hours .
• After that time, wash as usual with shampoo and conditioner using warm water.

Milk, strawberries and honey

In addition to  nourishing  the hair, you will add a delicious strawberry aroma . And it is a very easy treatment to do.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of milk (250 ml)
• ¼ cup strawberries (50 g)
• 2 tablespoons of honey (50 g)

Preparation

• Wash the strawberries well and cut them into quarters.
• Place in the blender glass next to the milk and honey. Mix well .
• Apply to damp hair and leave on for 2 hours .
• Rinse off using shampoo and conditioner and comb through while still wet.

Egg and olive oil

Both have more than interesting properties for hair. The proteins in the egg nourish the hair  and make it easier to handle the hair . Olive oil, on the other hand, could protect it from external aggressions, since the oil penetrates the scalp and reduces the amount of water absorbed by the strands, which would reduce inflammation in the area.

You only need 2 beaten eggs and a splash of olive oil. Apply to the hair with a massage, leave it on for an hour and when it is dry rinse with warm water. Let another hour pass, and wash as usual.

Lemon and honey

Honey provides moisture and faster healing  for small wounds you may suffer on your head . If you mix it with the  lemon, you will get an excellent moisturizing hair mask.

Combine one tablespoon of honey  (25 g) for every ½ tablespoon of lemon juice (5 ml), although the amount of each ingredient will depend on the length and amount of hair. Apply to hair, wrap with a warm towel and leave on for 45 minutes. Rinse and style carefully.

Banana and papaya

A fresh and aromatic way to hydrate the scalp. You can buy these fruits in any market, and your hair will smell tropical for days. Furthermore, this research from the Government College University of Faisalabad (Pakistan) ensures that papaya is an efficient anti-dandruff; Banana, in this study by the Halgekar Institute of Dental Science’s (India), is shown to be effective in dealing with microbes such as  Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• Half papaya
• 1 tablespoon of honey (25 g)

Preparation

• Peel the banana and cut into slices.
• Remove the pulp from the papaya and chop.
• Put both fruits on a plate and add the honey.
• Tread with a fork until you form a cream that you will apply to the hair for 1 hour (or until it dries completely).
• Then you just have to wash the hair with warm water and brush it well.

With these homemade and natural treatments you will nourish your hair,  and it will look healthy and beautiful. Choose the one you like the most and put it into practice. You will notice the results!